Hamlet (the highlights)
Here’s the link to the No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet text. I will also put it under
“Links” on my website. Let me know if you would rather have an actual book.
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/hamlet/
Here are key scenes and quotations to review… (You can disregard anything
regarding Fortinbras and/or Norway.)
Act 1, Scene 2
The marriage; Claudius and Gertrude advise Hamlet regarding his father;
Hamlet’s response.
“A little more than kin, and less than kind”
“…frailty, thy name is woman!”
Act 1, Scene 3
Laertes and Polonius give advice to Ophelia. Polonius counsels Laertes.
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be…”
“This above all: to thine own self be true”
“the primrose path of dalliance”
Act 1, Scene 4 and 5
Hamlet meets his father’s ghost… or is it? (Swear!)
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
“Leave her to heaven”
Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2
Ophelia comes to Polonius regarding Hamlet’s odd behavior. Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern arrive. Polonius reports to Claudius and Gertrude on what’s wrong
with Hamlet. Hamlet meets with the Players regarding The Murder of Gonzago.
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”
“What a piece of work is a man…”
“Brevity is the soul of wit”
“More matter, with less art”
“Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't”
“the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape”
“The play 's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king!”
Act 3, Scene 1
Hamlet speaks on life and death… and tells Ophelia where to go! Claudius and
Polonius observe.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question”
“Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind”
“Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?”
“Madness in great ones must not unwatched go”
Act 3, Scene 2
Hamlet confides in Horatio. The Play. Hamlet scolds R&G.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks”
“Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?”
“I will speak daggers to her, but use none.”
Act 3, Scene 3
Claudius tries to pray. Hamlet doesn’t act.
“Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”
Act 3, Scene 4
Gertrude’s chambers. Polonius dies. Ghost appears.
“I must be cruel, only to be kind”
Act 4, Scene 5
Ophelia is far gone; Laertes returns.
“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions”
Act 4, Scene 7
Claudius and Laertes make a plan. Gertrude reports Ophelia’s death.
Act 5, Scene 1
Gravediggers. Ophelia’s funeral. Hamlet and Laertes fight.
“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio!”
“Sweets to the sweet”
Act 5, Scene 2
The duel… enough said.
“there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be
not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all… Let
be.”
“Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death come not
upon thee, Nor thine on me.”
“The rest is silence”
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince”